General description.

This southern duck is a very close relative to the widespread "Mallard". The "Mottled Duck" also has orange legs and dark eyes. Both sexes have a shiny green-blue speculum (wing patch), which is not bordered with white as with the "Mallard". The male's bill is bright yellow. They feed by dabbling in shallow water and grazing on land.

Female appearance.

After thousands of years of evolutionary change, the two sexes are colored alike, but the female's bill is deep to pale orange, occasionally lined with black splotches around the edges and near the base.

Breeding habits.

The "Mottled Duck" breeds and resides in southern Florida and along the Gulf Coast in coastal marshes and lagoons.

Calls or song.

These ducks give a loud quack like the female "Mallard".

Population and distribution.

The ducks are fairly common within their restricted range.

Nesting habits.

Near the shore, the "Mottled Duck" female lays 9-13 pale greenish eggs in a down-lined nest of grass, which she conceals in thick vegetation.